Department for Transport

Motorcycles: Noise

lord laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have to reduce the noise level of motorcycles on public roads.

baroness sugg: Technical standards for noise from new motorcycles are set at an International level by both the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). These provisions were updated in 2014 and took effect for new machines from 2016. The European Commission is planning to introduce new legislation concerning emissions and noise from motorcycles. An independent research-based investigation is currently underway to establish the noise limits and these are expected to take effect in 2020. We anticipate these will be implemented through the UNECE where the UK will continue to play a key role beyond our withdrawal from the EU. The motorcycle industry are represented at the UNECE discussions and Department for Transport officials also hold routine discussions with them outside this forum.

Edmonton Green Station

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have assessed the impact on London Overground services of plans by Abelio Greater Anglia to cease calling at Edmonton Green Station; and whether those plans are in breach of Abelio’s franchise conditions.

baroness sugg: The future timetable for Greater Anglia (GA) services calling at Edmonton Green is still under development. GA is working closely with Network Rail and Arriva Rail London, who operate the London Overground service, to ensure their timetable provides the frequency and capacity that meets the needs of the passengers who use these services at Edmonton Green.

Diesel Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are planning to update requirements for MOT inspections to ensure that all diesel cars manufactured since 2009 are tested to ensure thatthey have a pollution filter when presented for testing.

baroness sugg: The current MOT test includes a provision for checking that a diesel particulate filter is fitted to a vehicle. However, it is recognised that on some vehicle models, it can be more difficult to recognise if a filter is present. From May 2018, the emissions limits for diesel cars will be lowered which will help identify more easily when manipulation or removal of a filter has occurred. In addition, the reasons a tester can fail a vehicle will be broadened to include obvious modification to the diesel particulate filter.

Diesel Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are planning tobring forwardlegislationtomake itillegal for a garage to remove a pollution filter from a diesel vehicle.

baroness sugg: It is an offence under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Regulation 61a(3)) to use a vehicle which has been modified in such a way that it no longer complies with the air pollutant emissions standards it was designed to meet. Removal of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will almost invariably result in a contravention of the Regulations, making the vehicle illegal to use on the road. The Department for Transport’s officials are considering ways to develop these regulations further in order to ensure that anyone caught flouting the rules, or advertising services to circumvent the law, are brought before the courts.

Bus Services Act 2017

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the draft regulations associated with the Bus Services Act 2017.

baroness sugg: The Department for Transport plans to publish the regulations and associated guidance later this year.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce arrangements for automatically warning vehicle owners when their MOT certificatesare about to run out.

baroness sugg: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has introduced a reminder service to notify motorists when an MOT is due. A text message or email will be sent four weeks before the MOT is due. If an MOT test has not been carried out two weeks before the current MOT is due to expire, another reminder will be sent.

Ferries: Isles of Scilly

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for a regular ferry service between St Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly and the mainland; and what discussions have been held between ministers and ferry operators regarding the continuation of that service.

baroness sugg: At present a regular passenger service is provided commercially during the summer season, and a freight service all year round, subject to inevitable weather disruption on occasion. Previous Government contributions to port improvements at Penzance and St Mary's reflected an ongoing appreciation of the value of these services to the residents and the economy of the Isles of Scilly. My predecessor was in touch with the Steamship Group on these matters, and I understand that the company has indicated its intention to continue provision of services.

Home Office

Domestic Violence: Children

lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government which police forces in England and Wales participate in the police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership known as Operation Encompass aimed at supporting children and young people who are exposed to domestic abuse; and when each of those forces began their participation in that scheme.

baroness williams of trafford: Operation Encompass ensures that children receive timely support following a domestic abuse incident. Participating forces notify schools before the start of the school day if a child has been present during a domestic abuse incident the previous evening.The scheme was launched in 2011 and, to date, 21 forces are participating in the scheme. The Government recognises Operation Encompass as an example of good practice which supports effective information-sharing to safeguard children and raise awareness of domestic abuse. A list of participating forces provided by Operation Encompass is set out below: Force-wideAvon and SomersetCheshireClevelandDurhamHampshireHumbersideKentLeicestershireMerseysideNorthumbriaNorfolkNorth YorkshireNottinghamSussexWest MerciaWest MidlandsWest YorkshireWiltshire PartialCumbria (south)Greater Manchester (Bolton, Tameside, North Manchester)Metropolitan Police (Waltham Forest, Hounslow) Devon and Cornwall will launch force-wide at the beginning of December 2017.

Hilda Murrell

lord rooker: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Williams of Traffordon 6 November(HL2390)regarding files relating to Hilda Murrell being closed until 1 January 2070, what are the current ages of the living individuals whose personal data is covered bysection 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

baroness williams of trafford: There are no Hilda Murrell files created by the Home Office that are closed in full at the National Archives. Where a person is less than 100 years old their personal details will be extracted from a file and kept closed until they reach 100 years of age. Based on a closure date of 1 January 1970, the extract in question (HO/287/3597/1) will contain information relating to an individual born in 1969.

Hate Crime: Internet

lord wigley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of police staff who will be working in the new online hate-crime hub in 2018.

baroness williams of trafford: It is initially planned for the national online hate crime hub to be staffed by four specialist police officers and staff.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Minimum Wage: Prosecutions

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the WrittenAnswer byLord Henley on 10 November (HL2703), what is their estimated increase in prosecutions that will result from current and planned activity to raise awareness and improve compliance with the National Minimum Wage legislation.

lord henley: The Government does not set a target for the number of criminal prosecutions relating to National Minimum Wage non-compliance.The specific circumstances of each case will determine whether it is suitable for referral for prosecution and it is therefore not possible to forecast how many cases will result in prosecution.

Small Businesses: Complaints

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government furtherto the Written Answer byLord Henley on 10 November (HL2702), how many complaints from small businesses have been received by (1) the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and (2)the Small Business Commissioner's office,since 1 October; and of those, how many have not been accepted because of the delay in the launch of the Small Business Commissioner's complaints handling service.

lord henley: Since 1 October, the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy has not received any complaints from small businesses that would be in scope of the proposed Small Business Commissioner’s complaints handling service. The office of the Small Business Commissioner has received two enquiries on behalf of small businesses, neither of which would be in scope of the proposed complaints handling service. Secondary legislation relating to this complaints handling service is currently before this House, and would need to come into force before the complaints service could launch. Subject to the will of Parliament, when it is in force small businesses will be able to submit complaints for consideration, including complaints relating to the period from 6 April 2017.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Commonwealth: Religious Freedom

the lord bishop of leeds: To ask Her Majesty's Government what priority they have given to addressing freedom of religion or belief across the Commonwealth at next year’s Commonwealth Summit; and what funding, if any, has been allocated by the Cabinet Office’s Commonwealth Secretariat to deliver a programme of events around that issue in the run-up to the Summit.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Government remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in all countries. The Prime Minister has announced the four themes for the summit: prosperity, security, sustainability and fairness. The summit will encourage all Commonwealth members to uphold the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including religious freedom or belief. We are currently working with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other member states to establish a detailed agenda for the week of the summit and the programme of events.We are currently considering programmes for the UK's Commonwealth Chair-in-Office period, the two years following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018. We have agreed to support the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in hosting a forum which will bring parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth together for important discussions across the key challenges facing the Commonwealth, including upholding the Commonwealth Charter. We have also provided £20,000 to the Royal Commonwealth Society to support its interfaith service, which will take place in Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day in March 2018.

Commonwealth: Religious Freedom

the lord bishop of leeds: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are taking steps ahead of the Commonwealth Summit in 2018 to document levels of government restrictions and societal hostility towards religious freedom across the Commonwealth.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Her Majesty's Government remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in all countries. Throughout our diplomatic network, including our High Commissions, diplomats are instructed to take account of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief and report back to London.On International Religious Freedom Day, I wrote to all Ambassadors and High Commissioners regarding the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s work to protect and promote FoRB globally. I have also initiated a series of roundtable discussions on FoRB with civil society and faith leaders to increase our collaboration in this area. Ministers and officials raise individual cases with relevant authorities and highlight practices and laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief. We also speak out publicly in support of FoRB, for example during my recent visit to Bangladesh in August 2017, I visited the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Dhaka and made a call for religious tolerance. We also include reporting on FoRB in our Annual Human Rights Report, which includes some Commonwealth countries.To support staff working on these issues, the FCO has re-issued its revised "toolkit" on FoRB and continues to provide training and seminars to increase religious literacy amongst staff.

British Nationals Abroad: Terrorism

lord marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 1 November, what is the basis for their assessment that terrorists are “flooding” back into the United Kingdom; and what plans they have to prevent this from continuing.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The threat posed by individuals who have gained combat experience and been further radicalised by spending time fighting for Daesh is an important issue for the UK and its international partners. Approximately 850 UK-linked individuals of national security concern have travelled to engage in the Syrian conflict. We estimate that just under half have returned to the UK and over 15 per cent have been killed in fighting in the region.This is a global challenge and the international community must work together, learn from each other's experiences and share best practice. There are two aspects to how we manage this threat: focusing on UK-linked individuals returning to the UK, and considering foreign terrorist fighter flows overseas.Everyone who returns to the UK from taking part in the conflict in Syria or Iraq must expect to be investigated by the police to determine if they have committed criminal offences and ensure that they do not pose a threat to our national security. The police have a range of legal powers they can use to manage any risk they pose. The UK supports its counter terrorism partners around the world to manage this risk by sharing information and experience, and by providing support to develop capabilities to manage the risk.

North Korea: Refugees

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make representations to the government of China concerning the proposed repatriation to North Korea of a group of ten escapees, including a three year old child, who are being held at Shenyang police station detention centre.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We are aware of reports of a number of North Koreans being detained in the city of Shenyang, China. At this time we have not raised these individual cases with the Chinese Government.Despite claims by the DPRK authorities that forcibly repatriated refugees are well treated and reintegrated into DPRK society, reports suggest that they are often mistreated by the authorities.​We raised the issue of non-refoulement with the Chinese authorities at the UK-China Human rights Dialogue, which was held on 28 June.

Pakistan: Terrorism

lord carlile of berriew: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they intend to make to the government of Pakistan to encourageit to improveits efforts to eradicate terrorist activity and extremism withinPakistan's borders.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism. The UK is committed to working with Pakistan to combat the terrorist threat and the extremism that sustains it. We regularly highlight to Pakistan, at the highest level, the importance of taking effective action against all terrorist groups operating in Pakistan, as Pakistan has committed to do. My colleague, the Minister for Asia and the Pacific, raised this with his counterparts when he visited Pakistan earlier this month.​ On extremism, during Pakistan's UPR this November, the UK raised deep concern over the misuse of terrorism and blasphemy laws to persecute minority communitiesThe UK is helping Pakistan develop its capacity to protect itself from terrorism and extremism, and prosecute those who plan and commit terrorist attacks. Our counter-terrorism assistance to Pakistan is focussed on protecting civilians, strengthening rule of law and developing civilian counter-terrorism institutions.​

Libya: Sexual Offences

baroness helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to efforts (1) to document allegations of systematic rape and sexual violence carried out against prisoners and detainees in Libya, and (2) to share documented evidence with the International Criminal Court.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: (1) More progress needs to be made on improving respect for the human rights of prisoners and detainees in Libya, although the political and security context in Libya remains very challenging. The UK Government does not document individual allegations of rape and sexual violence in Libya but does engage regularly with human rights organisations and the UN on these issues. The 2016 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights report outlines UK activity in further detail. Through our programming we have worked with the Libyan authorities to improve conditions in detention centres in Libya. For example, so far this year, the Department for International Development has supported more than 20,000 emergency interventions in areas which include healthcare, psychosocial support, hygiene kits and safe shelter. We also provide specific support to women and girls, to protect them from the heightened risks of sexual and gender based violence.(2) The United Kingdom has a legal obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal Court. We have a centralised system for responding to all requests from the Office of the Prosecutor and we have established guidelines and set standard procedures to ensure we share information with the International Criminal Court where appropriate.

Israel: Religious Freedom

the lord bishop of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Israel.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Freedom of religion and belief continues to be a priority for this Government. We are pleased that the Israeli Government, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Rivlin, have publicly highlighted their commitment to ensuring freedom of religion and belief in Israel.

Jerusalem: Religious Buildings

the lord bishop of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of recent alleged breaches of the Status Quo of the Holy Land sites in Jerusalem.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Jerusalem is a sacred place for millions of people from different faiths. During the incidents of July 2017 at Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa welcomed the efforts made by all parties to ensure the safety and security of the site whilst maintaining the status quo. ​​​We have made no more recent assessments on this issue.

Jerusalem: Religious Buildings

the lord bishop of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel on the importance of respecting the Status Quo of the Holy Land sites in Jerusalem.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We encourage Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan to do all they can to work together to avoid tensions and continue to uphold the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem. Our embassy in Tel Aviv most recently discussed the security situation at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount with the Israeli authorities on 26 October.

Jerusalem: Churches

the lord bishop of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel on the importance of protecting Church property in the Old City of Jerusalem, followingthe decision in July of the Jerusalem District Court in the Jaffa Gate case.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have not raised this issue with the Israeli authorities. We believe a final determination of the status of Jerusalem should be sought as part of a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. It must ensure Jerusalem is a shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states, with access and religious rights of both peoples respected.

Israel: Visits Abroad

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether anyrepresentative from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was present at the recent meetings in Israel between the Secretary of State for International Development and officials of the government of Israel.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​No representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office were present at the meetings between my right hon. Friend the member for Witham (Ms Patel), former Secretary of State for International Development, and officials of the government of Israel.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government on the basis of what information the Foreign Secretary told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on 1 November that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was "simply teaching journalism".

lord ahmad of wimbledon: I refer the Noble Lord to the update given by the Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons and repeated in the House of Lords by the Minister of State for Defence on 7 November.

Sahel: Peacekeeping Operations

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have supported proposals in the UN Security Council to give the Group of Five Sahel Joint Force a UN peacekeeping mandate and funding.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The creation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force is a step forward in countering terrorism and illegal migration. We were pleased that the UN Security Council offered its political support to the mission earlier this year. For our part the United Kingdom is currently undertaking a scoping mission to see what more we can do in the Sahel, including potential support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Funding is an important factor in determining a mission’s success, which is why we were pleased to support the EU commitment to provide €50 million to the Joint Force.We recognise the challenges faced by the force and the value of tackling terrorists and traffickers with a holistic approach right across the region, in particular ensuring there is a clear plan to deliver services alongside security. If security gains are to take root, work must also continue to develop robust frameworks for compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law. We welcome the UN Secretary-General’s recent report on the mission and his options for potential UN support. We are studying these in detail and considering the complementary roles that bilateral and multilateral support can play in the Sahel region.

UN Human Rights Council: Elections

lord alderdice: To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they used to determine which state's candidacy to support in the recent election to the UN Human Rights Council.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK reaches decisions on votes on the basis of candidates’ human rights records, and their cooperation with Human Rights Council (HRC) mechanisms. The UK also considers candidates’ engagement and voting record at HRC, broader UK Government priorities, standing obligations, and whether a reciprocal deal can be made. The UK has a long-standing policy of not revealing our voting intentions in international elections, nor how we voted in the past.

Israel: Palestinians

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the future for Palestinians following the report by the General Assembly Fourth Committee that a sharp increase in settlement construction activity fuelled by the passing of a regularisation law, combined with the demolition of Palestinian homes, has led to an atmosphere of despair and hopelessness among Palestinians in the occupied territories.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Government is clear that settlement expansion and demolition activity is illegal and harmful to the peace process. When the Prime Minister met Prime Minister Netanyahu on 2 November she reiterated the UK’s continued opposition to settlement activity and our firm commitment to a two-state solution as the best way to bring about stability and peace. Former Minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood MP, issued a statement on 7 February condemning the passing of the Land Regularisation Law by the Knesset. The law is currently being challenged in Israel’s High Court of Justice. We understand frustration at the lack of progress in the Middle East Peace Process. We believe that peace will only come through negotiations between the parties, and we are committed to supporting progress towards a two-state solution.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit: Impact Assessments

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government why, in its sectoral impact assessments for leaving the EU, the Department for Exiting the EU has not undertaken an impact assessment of the natural environment; andwhetheritintends to do so.

lord callanan: As Parliamentary Under Secretary Robin Walker said in his opening remarks to the House on 1st November, the Government has not produced a series of sectoral impact assessments. The Government has produced a wide mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis, contained in a range of documents developed at different times since the referendum. It is constantly evolving and being updated based on our discussions with industry and our negotiations with the EU, but it is not, and nor has it ever been, a series of impact assessments examining the quantitative impact of Brexit on these sectors. The Secretary of State has said that he will provide sector analysis to the Exiting the European Union Committee in an informative and accessible way as soon as is possible.

Attorney General

Hate Crime: Prosecutions

lord vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government under what authority the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has agreed a definition of racially and religiously aggravated crime that is wider than the legal definition under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Criminal Justice Act 2003, as indicated in the CPS Public statement on prosecuting racist and religious hate crime published in August.

baroness vere of norbiton: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 16 November 2017.The correct answer should have been:

In order to charge and prosecute hate crimes, the CPS uses the legal definition provided by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Criminal Justice Act 2003. The shared police and CPS definition of hate crime is based on the perception of the victim or any other person and allows for case flagging and monitoring as well as appropriate victim support, it does not affect the charge.This flagging definition comes from the recommended definition in the Macpherson report which was published in 1999 as a result of the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. The Macpherson Report found a lack of confidence within communities that hate crime was being treated seriously by the police and Criminal Justice System and recommended that the definition of a racist incident should be, ‘any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person’. Putting the victim’s perception at the heart of the definition gives a clear signal that, once flagged as a hate crime, an appropriate investigation will follow and evidence to support the law on hostility will be proactively sought. The definition seeks to encourage victims to report and to increase confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

lord keen of elie: In order to charge and prosecute hate crimes, the CPS uses the legal definition provided by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Criminal Justice Act 2003. The shared police and CPS definition of hate crime is based on the perception of the victim or any other person and allows for case flagging and monitoring as well as appropriate victim support, it does not affect the charge.This flagging definition comes from the recommended definition in the Macpherson report which was published in 1999 as a result of the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. The Macpherson Report found a lack of confidence within communities that hate crime was being treated seriously by the police and Criminal Justice System and recommended that the definition of a racist incident should be, ‘any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person’. Putting the victim’s perception at the heart of the definition gives a clear signal that, once flagged as a hate crime, an appropriate investigation will follow and evidence to support the law on hostility will be proactively sought. The definition seeks to encourage victims to report and to increase confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

Wales Office

Air Passenger Duty: Wales

lord kinnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to introduce legislation to devolve policy on Air Passenger Duty to the Welsh Assembly, in orderto facilitate further development of long-haul passenger flights from Cardiff Airport; and if not, why not.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: In line with our commitment in the St David’s Day Agreement, the Government has considered the case for devolving powers over air passenger duty to the National Assembly for Wales. We have made clear that, having considered the impacts of devolving APD, we have ruled out the devolution of APD to Wales.

Department for Education

Schools: Asbestos

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the danger of asbestos in schools; what advice they give to schools and local authorities about its safe removal; and how many deaths of (1) teachers, (2) students, and (3) others, who may have contracted mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases while in school buildings, there have been in each of the last ten years.

lord agnew of oulton: The department takes the issue of asbestos in schools seriously, and is committed to supporting schools, local councils and academy trusts to fulfil their duty to manage asbestos safely. If managed carefully, the presence of asbestos in schools does not pose a risk to staff or pupils. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advise that as long as asbestos-containing materials are undamaged, encapsulated and not in locations where they are vulnerable to damage, they should be managed in situ. In February 2017 the department published a report of a survey of asbestos management in schools. Approximately 25% of schools in England responded to the survey. Of the 83% of schools with asbestos present: 98% had an asbestos management survey; 97% had an asbestos register; and 97% reported that they had processes and procedures in place to prevent disturbance of asbestos in the education estate. We plan in future to seek written assurance from all duty holders that their schools are compliant with existing legislation and guidance on the management of asbestos in schools. In February 2017 the department also published updated guidance, which provides information on action duty holders should take in order to prevent pupils and staff being exposed to asbestos. The guidance makes clear that the removal of asbestos should take place only if asbestos containing materials are in poor condition and advises on the risks of unsafe removal. It advises on actions that duty holders must take where work is carried out on the premises which might disturb asbestos containing materials (including asbestos removal). The Government has committed more than £10 billion over 2016-2021 to rebuild, expand and maintain the school estate. Over time it is expected that this programme of work will eradicate asbestos in the education estate. The department directly funds the removal of asbestos through schemes such as the Priority Schools Building Programme and provides capital funding for asbestos management and removal where appropriate for schools that have identified that asbestos is in poor condition or poses a high risk of deterioration. Data on the number of deaths of (1) teachers, (2) students, and (3) others, who may have contracted mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases while in school buildings is not collected by the department. The HSE publish information, copy attached, on their website on asbestos-related deaths, available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asbestos.htm.



Asbestos Related Disease
(PDF Document, 242.7 KB)

Internet: Children and Young People

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children and young people who view disturbing or hate-filled material online, or otherwise digitally, are encouraged to report such material to parents, teachers or other responsible adults.

lord agnew of oulton: The government is committed to ensuring that children and young people stay safe online. On 11 October, the government published its Internet Safety Strategy green paper, attached, setting out plans for keeping all users safe. The Internet Safety Strategy outlines the crucial role that education will play in improving children’s safety online and the importance of digital literacy. When carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, schools and colleges must have regard to the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance. The guidance, attached, was updated in September 2016 to include, for the first time, a section covering online safety, including the requirement for schools and colleges to ensure appropriate filters and monitoring systems are in place. It also changed the emphasis from schools and colleges “considering” teaching about safeguarding (including online) to “ensuring” children are taught about safeguarding (including online). As part of the computing curriculum pupils in primary and secondary schools are taught to identify inappropriate and unacceptable content and contact, and a range of ways to report concerns about this. Education institutions are under a specific duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism (the Prevent duty). To support schools in this duty, the government published comprehensive advice and resource materials on the Educate Against Hate website, available at: https://educateagainsthate.com/. The website signposts to support provided by leading partners, such as the NSPCC and the UK Safer Internet Centre to help keep children and young people safe from the risk of online radicalisation. It includes advice on how to report online material promoting terrorism or extremism. Higher and further education providers covered by the Prevent duty are required to understand and manage the potential risk posed by online material. This may include IT filtering or monitoring, or putting in place alternative measures. To support this activity and further protect young people online, the Department for Education has also funded a range of training material across Higher and Further education to raise awareness of the risk posed by online radicalisers and extremist content, and the support available to students and providers in responding to this.



Keeping Children Safe in Education
(PDF Document, 829.99 KB)




Internet Safety Strategy - green paper
(Word Document, 233.28 KB)

Children in Care

baroness smith of basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received from county councils and local government organisations regarding increases in children re-entering the county council care systems; and what is the impact of those increases on individual county councils 2017–18 forecast spend.

baroness smith of basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Essex County Council regarding the projected costs and other implications of children re-entering the care system.

lord agnew of oulton: The government is committed to delivering long-term, sustainable improvements to the children’s social care system. We are working to identify the sorts of interventions that really work to help prevent the need for children to become looked-after or re-enter the care system. This is a key focus for the Partners in Practice Programme, Innovation Programme and What Works Centre. No representations have been received from county councils and local government organisations regarding increases in children re-entering the care system and no discussions have been had with Essex County Council on projected costs and other implications of children re-entering the care system. However, we recognise that local councils are delivering children’s services in a challenging environment and need to make tough choices about priorities to achieve efficiencies. The government is supporting local councils to do this in a number of ways. The Department for Education (DfE) has invested £200m since 2014 in our Innovation Programme and Partners in Practice Programme. As part of this, we have committed £20m to provide additional support to local councils where the risk of service failure is highest. We are committed to working with partners to understand how DfE might further support improvement across the system.

Pupil Exclusions

lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken in response to the report by the Children's Commissioner of March 2013,They Go the Extra Mile: Reducing inequality in school exclusions, in particular with regard to recommendations 2, 4 and 10.

lord agnew of oulton: All children are entitled to a good education, regardless of their circumstances. As the Commissioner’s report of March 2013 set out, the issues that underlie the disparity seen in school exclusions are complex. The department collects and publishes data on the use of exclusion, including by type of school, and by pupil characteristic. The exclusions guidance ‘Exclusion from maintained schools, Academies and pupil referral units in England’, attached, is clear that all schools should consider what extra support might be needed to identify and address the needs of children from groups with disproportionally high rates of exclusion, in order to reduce their risk of exclusion. There are also safeguards in place to ensure that schools meet the duties described in this guidance. Head teachers’ exclusion decisions can be reviewed by the school governing body. If a parent believes that their child has been excluded from school without regard to the guidance, they should complain through the official school complaint procedure with the governing body. Ofsted assess a school’s use of exclusion, including the rates, patterns and reasons for exclusion, as well as any differences between groups of pupils as part of their inspection of schools. The Government recently announced an externally led review of exclusions practice and implications for pupil groups disproportionately represented in the national statistics. The review will consider how schools use exclusion and how this impacts on all pupils, but particularly why some groups of children are more likely to be excluded from school. The department will publish full details of the review, including how views can be submitted, in due course.



Exclusion From Maintained Schools, Academies and..
(PDF Document, 339.99 KB)

Pupil Exclusions

lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they give to state-funded schools about excluding pupils for reasons other than those connected to behaviour.

lord agnew of oulton: Exclusion on any grounds other than discipline is unlawful. The Government supports head teachers in using exclusion as a sanction where it is warranted. However, permanent exclusion should only be used as a last resort, in response to a serious breach or persistent breaches of the school's behaviour policy; and where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school. The department publishes statutory guidance, attached, for head teachers and governors on exclusion: ‘Exclusion from maintained schools, Academies and pupil referral units in England’. The guidance covers the process from start to finish, and makes clear the factors that a head teacher should take into account before taking a decision to exclude.



Exclusion from maintained schools
(PDF Document, 339.99 KB)

Schools: Admissions

lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they take when Ofsted determines that pupils have been "off-rolled" by a state-funded school in an attempt to maximise their results and league table rankings.

lord agnew of oulton: A pupil can only lawfully be deleted from the admission register on the grounds prescribed in regulation 8 of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 as amended.Schools can exclude pupils, either permanently or for a fixed period, for disciplinary reasons, and the department supports schools in using exclusion where this is warranted. Permanent exclusion should only be used as a last resort, in response to a serious breach or persistent breaches of the school's behaviour policy and where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.Following media coverage of inappropriate off-rolling this summer, the department wrote to all secondary schools, reminding them of the rules surrounding exclusion.Ofsted has recently issued guidance to inspectors, reminding them to be alert to this matter. The guidance makes clear that instances of off-rolling should be discussed with school leaders during the inspection, and should inform the evaluation of evidence for the effectiveness of leadership and management, and outcomes for pupils.

Schools

lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their definition of a school.

lord agnew of oulton: In section 4 of the Education Act 1996, the principal definition of a “school” is “an educational institution which is outside the further education sector and the higher education sector and is an institution for providing primary or secondary education or both types of education.”

Maintained Schools: Asbestos

lord wigley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they give to state-maintained schools in England concerning the need to strip asbestos from school buildings.

lord agnew of oulton: The department takes the issue of asbestos in schools seriously, and is committed to supporting schools, local councils and academy trusts to fulfil their duty to manage asbestos safely. The department’s advice to schools, local councils and academy trusts on management of asbestos is contained in the attached Asbestos Management in Schools guidance also published at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asbestos-management-in-schools--2. The guidance provides information on the action duty holders should take in order to prevent pupils and staff being exposed to asbestos. The guidance makes clear that the removal of asbestos should take place only if asbestos containing materials are in poor condition and advises on the risks of unsafe removal. This is in line with the Health and Safety Executive advice that as long as asbestos-containing materials are undamaged, encapsulated and not in locations where they are vulnerable to damage, they should be managed in situ. The guidance also advises on actions that duty holders must take where work is carried out on the premises which might disturb asbestos containing materials (including asbestos removal).



Managing Asbestos in Your School
(PDF Document, 1.05 MB)

Out-of-school Education: Prosecutions

lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many unregistered schools have been prosecuted in the last year for which figures are available.

lord agnew of oulton: The offence of operating an unregistered independent educational establishment is created by section 96 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. There is a related offence, under section 97 of that Act, of intentionally obstructing a person carrying an inspection where it is believed that an offence under section 96 is being committed. There have been no prosecutions of unregistered schools in the last year involving either of these offences.

Ministry of Justice

Alternatives to Prison: Mothers

baroness healy of primrose hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of promoting the use of community-based sentences as a first option for offences that presently require custodial sentences, in order to ensure that mothers are not separated from their children.

lord keen of elie: It is important that there are robust community options available to sentencers so that vulnerable women with complex needs, including those with children, are only sent to prison when it is absolutely necessary.We are developing a strategy for female offenders to improve outcomes for women in custody and in the community. As part of this work we are already investing £1 million seed funding between 2016 and 2020 to help local areas develop improved, multi-agency approaches to support female offenders in their area.Sentences in individual cases are decided by the courts, who take into account guidelines issued by the independent Sentencing Council.In February 2017, the Council issued its guideline “Imposition of Community and Custodial and Sentences”, which makes it clear that prison should be reserved for the most serious offences, and that custody should not be imposed where a community order could provide sufficient restriction on an offender’s liberty (by way of punishment) while addressing the rehabilitation of the offender to prevent future crime. The guideline also notes that for offenders on the cusp of custody, imprisonment should not be imposed where there would be an impact on dependants which would make a custodial sentence disproportionate to achieving the aims of sentencing.

Magistrates' Courts: Newcastle upon Tyne

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written AnswerbyLord Keen of Elieon 26 September (HL1527), whether they intend that the full range ofNewcastle magistrates' court proceedingswill be conducted at the premises referred to; and if not, why not.

lord keen of elie: HM Courts & Tribunals Service intends that the proposed magistrates’ court facilities at Newcastle Combined Court will be capable of hearing a range of magistrates' courts work including cases involving custody. If workload levels exceed the hearing and custodial capacity of the court then cases will be listed into other nearby magistrates’ court buildings.

Prisons: Private Sector

lord hunt of chesterton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the performance of privatised prison services in the past year; and whether they intend to review the case for returning those services to the public sector.

lord keen of elie: We have robust processes in place to closely monitor privately managed prisons and will not hesitate to take action if and when standards fall short. There is a HMPPS Controller based in every privately managed prison, accountable for providing assurance that the contracts are delivered in accordance with agreed contractual delivery indicators, and that the prison provides safe, decent and secure services. Senior Contract Managers (SCMs) provide an additional level of operational assurance and support for the Controllers. Privately managed prison contracts set out a strict performance framework, consisting of prescriptive performance targets. Failure by the provider to meet performance targets results in performance points and, potentially, financial remedies being applied against the provider. It is important to recognise, however, that privately managed prison providers achieve the majority of their contractual targets. Any decision to revoke a contract to operate a privately managed prison will be made after following a clear process and where the operator fails to improve performance despite this process. We do not currently anticipate any such action taking place against any privately managed prison. Privately managed prisons have been a key feature of the prison estate for over 20 years and will continue to play an important role.

Care Proceedings

lord laming: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the proposal by the President of the Family Division that children should be dealt with in new "problem-solving" courts.

lord keen of elie: The Ministry of Justice works with other departments to achieve the best outcomes for children both outside and within the court process. We are committed to ensuring that young people in the youth justice system receive the support they need to prevent them from committing further offences, with youth offending teams leading a multi-agency approach involving the courts, children’s services and other local services as appropriate. We recognise that problem-solving approaches can provide alternatives to a traditional court process, and may lead to improved outcomes for children and their families. We are supportive of such approaches in family proceedings, for example Family Drug and Alcohol Courts and the current piloting of settlement conferences.

Local Criminal Justice Boards

lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government whichlocal Criminal Justice Boards in England and Wales are chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner for that area.

lord keen of elie: The Ministry of Justice does not hold or collect information on the membership of local Criminal Justice Boards in England and Wales, including whether they are chaired by the local Police and Crime Commissioner.

Ministry of Defence

RAF Marham: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

lord campbell of pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byEarl Howe on 30 October (HL2256), which elements of the infrastructure programme at RAF Marham are (1) behind schedule, (2) on schedule, and (3) ahead of schedule.

earl howe: All elements of the infrastructure programme at RAF Marham are progressing well and are expected to be completed in time to meet the programme needs. I can confirm that most elements are on track, two are behind contract dates and one element is in delay, but this is not expected to affect the Initial Operating Capability date. I am withholding further information relating to individual elements of the infrastructure programme as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

RAF Marham: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

lord campbell of pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byEarl Howe on 30 October (HL2257), how much is being paid in incentive payments for each specific element of the infrastructure programme at RAF Marham.

earl howe: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Department for Work and Pensions

Personal Independence Payment

baroness altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much money has been spent in each of the last 12 months on the process of administering Personal Independence Payment (1) mandatory reconsiderations, and (2) tribunals, in (a) England, (b) Scotland, and (c) Wales.

baroness buscombe: The table attached at Annex A Table 1 provides data on the amount spent by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on administering Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mandatory reconsiderations in each of the last 12 months (October 2016 to September 2017 inclusive) DWP does not hold separate costs relating to mandatory reconsiderations for England, Scotland and Wales and these could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The table attached at Annex A Table 2 provides data on the amount spent by DWP on internal costs of administering PIP appeals in each of the last 12 months (October 2016 to September 2017 inclusive) DWP does not hold separate costs relating to appeals for England, Scotland and Wales and these could only be obtained at disproportionate cost Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service holds data on overall tribunal costs for the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support Appeals). Therefore, to give PIP-only tribunal costs could only be done at disproportionate cost.



Annex A
(Word Document, 16.55 KB)

Personal Independence Payment

baroness altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the performance measures in (1) England, (2) Scotland, and (3) Wales, for the percentage of Personal Independence Payment mandatory reconsiderations which are to be upheld.

baroness altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their target for the percentage of mandatory reconsideration requests to be refused; what key performance indicators the Department for Work and Pensions has set for (1) Atos, and (2) Capita, in relation to that target; and what contractual penalties will apply to any failure to meet that target.

baroness buscombe: There are no targets within the Department for Work and Pensions and none set for Atos and Capita for upholding applications for mandatory reconsiderations. Each application is considered on its merits.

Disability Rights Commission

lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consult on the recreation of the Disability Rights Commission with all its previous powers and under the auspices of the DWP.

baroness buscombe: We are committed to supporting all disabled people to live independent lives, and to reach their full potential in a modern and inclusive society. This includes ensuring disabled people are engaged with all decisions that concern them.We have no current plans to consult to recreate the Disability Human Rights Commission as this role is now exercised by the government funded, Equality and Human Rights Commission which replaced the Disability Rights Commission in 2007.

Funeral Payments

baroness gardner of parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to review the maximum payment that can currently be made under the Funeral Payment scheme.

baroness buscombe: The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments scheme comprises of two elements. The first element covers the ‘necessary’ costs of arranging a funeral, which include costs of a burial or cremation including the purchase of a grave. It also meets the cost of any medical references or the removal of active implanted medical devices for cremations, reasonable costs if a body has to be moved for more than fifty miles and travel costs for the applicant to arrange and attend the funeral. These costs are paid in full and there is no maximum contribution. The second element covers all other costs, which are subject to a maximum of £700. We have no plans at this time to review this component of the scheme.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Pesticides

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will apply the precautionary principle to authorisation of use of pesticides after Brexit.

lord gardiner of kimble: Our approach to the regulation of Plant Protection Products upon exit from the European Union will be to convert existing EU regulations into UK law through the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill at the point of exit. The EU Plant Protection Product regulation makes specific reference to the precautionary principle and this will therefore be retained when we convert that EU regulation into our national law.

Food Poverty

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Gardiner of Kimble on 16 October (HL1662), whether they have any plans to gather evidence of the level of food security in the UK in addition to the ONS surveys on spend on food and of people's experience of food security.

lord gardiner of kimble: We have recently commenced a review of the UK Food Security Assessment, to update and refresh the suite of indicators within it. It is a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of food security, including household food security. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) continue to monitor household spending on food through its Living Costs and Food Survey. The ONS does not conduct a survey recording experiences of household food security.

Bracken

lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to achieve a reduction in the amount of open countryside covered by bracken.

lord gardiner of kimble: Through our agri-environment schemes we encourage farmers and land managers to look after and manage their local environments. These agreements support a number of management actions, including bracken control. Currently 881 agreements specifically include action that helps control bracken. This covers 16,527 hectares of land.

Agriculture: Sustainable Development

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the contribution made by woodland creation and hedgerow planting to sustainable farming.

lord gardiner of kimble: Woodland and hedgerows make an important contribution to sustainable farming. Woodland mitigates climate change, supports biodiversity, improves soil quality, prevents flooding and provides a shelterbelt for farm land. Hedgerows help enhance biodiversity and prevent soil erosion and run-off from fields, provide shelter, control livestock, and protect crops from the wind. They help define the character of the English landscape and many have historical significance as they mark ancient boundaries. English farmers can create woodland, plant trees and manage hedgerows with Rural Development Programme funding from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Funding through Rural Development Programmes between 2007 and 2017 has created over 18,500 hectares of woodland and nearly 6,000 kilometres of new hedgerows.

Food: Waste

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the local government schemes to manage food waste and reduce the amount that goes into landfill.

lord gardiner of kimble: We do not hold details of the amount of food waste that goes to landfill, however the levels of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill, which includes food waste, has continued to reduce and in 2015 was 7.7 million tonnes. Local authorities play an important role in helping people reduce household food waste, and identifying the business opportunities within a more efficient and circular economy in their area. Local authorities representing more than 42% of the UK’s population are currently signatories to the Courtauld Commitment 2025, which includes a target to reduce UK per capital food waste by 20%. Reductions in food waste arisings offers a significant reduction in waste collection and disposal costs for authorities, as well as savings for households. Half of local authorities in England offer a kerbside collection service for food waste, which will be sent either to in-vessel composting or anaerobic digestion. In-vessel composting and anaerobic digestion provide significant carbon saving over sending food waste to landfill. In 2015 WRAP published a review of the effectiveness of measures to increase food waste collection and updated guidance on measures local authorities could take to increase capture of food waste. The Government is committed to reducing the diversion of food waste to landfill and in the Clean Growth Strategy we announced a target of working towards no food waste entering landfill by 2030. Further details on this will be published in the Resources and Waste Strategy in 2018.

Nitrogen Dioxide

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government which places in the UK have had the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide exceedance of agreed EU limits in each year since 1997 for which records are held; and how many times the World Health Organisation's guideline for PM 2.5 has been exceeded.

lord gardiner of kimble: Between 1997 and 2000 inclusive, the limit value for hourly mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide was 200 µg/m3 and could only be exceeded for two percent of the calendar year for any monitoring site. This limit was determined by the Council Directive on air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (85/203/EEC). All air quality monitoring sites for nitrogen dioxide were compliant with the limit value between 1997 and 2000. Under the First Daughter Directive (1999/30/EC) and Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC), the limit value for hourly mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations is 200 µg/m3 and Member States are allowed to exceed this limit for a maximum of 18 hours per calendar year. The monitoring sites with the greatest number of hours in exceedance of this limit by year are displayed in the table below (site measurements are available on the UK-AIR website):  YearAssessment areaMonitoring siteHours with NO2 concentration > 200 µgm-32001Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road602002Glasgow Urban AreaGlasgow Kerbside382003Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road4712004Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road5422005Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road8532006Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road6862007Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road4582008Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road8222009Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road4862010Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road5392011Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road2292012Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road1322013Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road602014Greater London Urban AreaLondon Marylebone Road602015South WalesHafod-yr-ynys Roadside1082016South WalesHafod-yr-ynys Roadside126  The limit value for annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations is 40 µg/m3. Assessment is made using a mixture of monitoring site data, modelling of major roadside concentrations in urban areas and modelling of background concentrations. The maximum annual mean concentration of nitrogen dioxide and its location in the UK are displayed in the table below (monitoring and modelling data can be found on the UK-AIR website): YearAssessment areaLocationAnnual mean NO2 concentration (µg/m3)2001Central ScotlandModelled background location east of Glasgow (close to A73 and B803)952002Greater London Urban AreaA3211 (between City of London boundary and A201 Blackfriars Bridge junction)872003Greater London Urban AreaA501 (between Marylebone High St and A4201 junctions)1092004Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Portman St and Duke St junctions)1132005Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Portman St and Duke St junctions)1842006Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Portman St and Duke St junctions)1682007Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Marble Arch and Portman St junctions)1552008Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Marble Arch and Portman St junctions)1822009Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Portman St and Duke St junctions)1632010Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Portman St and Duke St junctions)1702011Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between Portman St and Duke St junctions)1362012Greater London Urban AreaA302 (between A3217 and A4 junctions)1522013Greater London Urban AreaA4 (between A315/A3216 and Hyde Park Corner junctions)1262014Greater London Urban AreaA40 (between A4206 and A5/A501 junctions)1192015Greater London Urban AreaA3211 (between A100 junction and Tower Hamlets boundary)1152016Greater London Urban AreaA3211 (between Arthur St and Fish St Hill junctions)102 The UK is compliant with the Air Quality Directive and its predecessors regarding concentrations of PM2.5. All areas of the UK had maximum annual mean concentrations less than 20 µg/m3 in 2016 (the limit value set by the European Union); but in every year some areas across the UK have exceed the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m3 annual mean and a 24-hour mean of 25 µg/m3. Weighting the concentrations according to where the population lives gives annual mean concentrations which are less than the WHO guideline (9 µg/m3 in 2016).

Rights of Way: Closures

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what grounds a public right of way may be temporarily closed.

lord gardiner of kimble: Local highway authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of public rights of way. Public rights of way should always be open and available for the public to use, but an application may be made to the local highway authority under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, for an Order to close or divert temporarily a public right of way for safety reasons, or to carry out necessary works.

Fracking: North Yorkshire

baroness mcintosh of pickering: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of recent protests, what is their evidence base for the environmental safeguards proposed to protect water supplies in areas of North Yorkshire affected by applications to hydraulically fracture.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Environment Agency has issued Third Energy with an environmental permit that will ensure a high level of protection for the environment and human health. Before the permit was issued a detailed hydrogeological assessment was undertaken to ensure groundwater would be protected. This included a consultation with Yorkshire Water which was satisfied that activities would not pollute drinking water. The permit requires the operator to undertake baseline monitoring of groundwater, as well as operational monitoring, to ensure the activities are not having an impact on groundwater. The British Geological Survey has also been undertaking additional groundwater monitoring in the area since 2015 and will continue to monitor the groundwater at the site during operations.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Welfare Assistance Schemes

baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Buscombe on 23 October (HL1902), what kinds of flexible help local authoritiesare able totarget on those in need of urgent help where they have closed local welfare assistance schemes.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Under Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, local authorities may do anything which they consider is likely to promote or improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of their area. To achieve these objectives they may give financial assistance to any person. Such local spending decisions are best made by people who understand their communities and who are best placed to make the right call. The issue of local authority spending priorities is ultimately a matter for local discretion.

Parks Action Group

baroness jones of whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 30 October (HL Deb, col 1155), who will sit on the parks action group; and how frequently it intends to meet.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Parks Action Group will bring together government officials from Departments with an interest in parks and green spaces alongside experts from across the parks, leisure, heritage and environmental sectors. The first meeting will take place on 23rd November and will be chaired by Marcus Jones (Minister for Parks and Green Spaces).The Parks Action Group will convene thematic meetings as required to support delivery of the group’s collectively agreed actions. Marcus Jones will chair a further formal meeting of the Parks Action Group in 2018, to assess progress.The members of the Parks Action Group (Sectoral Group) are:Drew Bennellick, Head of Landscape & Natural Heritage UK, Heritage Lottery FundMatthew Bradbury, CEO, Parks AllianceGraham Duxbury, CEO, GroundworkHelen Griffiths, CEO, Fields In TrustCllr Gerald Vernon Jackson, Chair of the Local Government AssociationDave Morris, Chair, National Federation of Parks and Green SpacesPaul O’Brien, CEO, Association of Public Service ExcellenceEllie Robinson, Assistant Director, National TrustDave Solly, Natural EnglandKeep Britain Tidy, CEO, Allison Ogden-NewtonThe members of the Parks Action Group (Cross-Departmental Group) will be senior officials for the policy areas with an interest in Parks and Green Spaces from the following Departments:Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)Department of Health (DH)Department for Education (DfE)Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)Home Office (HO)Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Change of Use

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the class Q permitted development rights, which allow agricultural buildings to be converted to dwellings.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: The agricultural to residential permitted development rights were introduced in April 2014 as an important measure to support our rural communities and help provide new homes. The Department collects data quarterly on the number of prior approvals made under the right at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/644594/TablePDR2.xlsIn addition to this, the operation of the right was considered in the context of the Government’s Rural Planning Review. The Government's response to the review, published alongside the Housing White Paper, included proposals to expand the right to provide more homes for local people: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/589763/Summary_of_responses_to_the_technical_planning_consultation.pdf.This consultation closed in May this year and the Department is currently considering responses.



Summary of responses to the technical planning 
(PDF Document, 561.75 KB)




quarterly figures on prior approvals of developmen
(Excel SpreadSheet, 31.5 KB)

Rented Housing: Greater London

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their projection of the number of house renters there will be in London in the next 10 years.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: The department does not make projections of the number of renters there might be in the future.However the Government acknowledges that whether for sale or rent, housing is increasingly unaffordable. The Government is committed to building more homes and has set out its plans to do so in the Housing White Paper.

Parks: Bye Laws

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of park bye-laws; and whether they consider that there is a case for reform.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Bye-laws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces -including parks- are an effective tool for local authorities to address anti-social and nuisance behaviour. They ensure the peaceful enjoyment of a public space for all users where the issues causing concern cannot be addressed through national or local measures.There are no plans to reform bye-laws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces.

HM Treasury

National Insurance Credits

baroness altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of women who are not claiming Child Benefit due to a parent earning above £50,000 and who do not receive the credit for National Insurance State Pension each year.

lord bates: Child Benefit can help some claimants qualify for National Insurance credits. These credits count towards their State Pension and protect it by making sure they don’t have gaps in their National Insurance record. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) ensures that individuals have the information they need to make well-informed choices about their pension position and Child Benefit. HMRC provides specific information on the Child Benefit claim form, through the HMRC helpline, online at gov.uk, through partners such as Citizen’s Advice, and in the Bounty Packs that go to new parents. However, some people may choose not to claim Child Benefit. HMRC does not have an estimate of the number of people whose state pension entitlements are affected by their decision not to claim.

Tobacco: Excise Duties

lord naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the publication by HMRC on 26 October of the Tobacco tax gap estimates 2016–17, what assessment they have made of the relationship between tobacco duty rises and the number of smokers seeking to purchase non-UK duty paid tobacco.

lord bates: The behavioural response to a rise in prices is captured by the price elasticity of demand. More information on HMRC’s long-run estimate of the price elasticity of demand for cigarettes can be found in HM Revenue and Custom’s publication ‘Econometric Analysis of Cigarette Consumption in the UK’.Information on the size of the illicit market for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco is available in HM Revenue and Custom’s publication ‘Tobacco tax gap estimates for 2016-17’.Both of these publications may be found on the government’s website.

Tobacco: Excise Duties

lord naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatestimate they have made of the impact of a second tobacco duty increasethis yearon the revenue of HM Treasury.

lord bates: The government keeps all taxes under review at fiscal events, and we will consider this issue carefully as part of the Autumn Budget process.

Credit

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Financial Inclusion Commission, Credit where it’s due: Overcoming the barriers to mainstream credit with data, with respect to how new sources of data, including rental payment data, may help individuals access credit via mainstream and low-cost lenders.

lord bates: The Government is supportive of efforts to help borrowers access credit from mainstream lenders. The Government will introduce new Open Banking standards from January 2018, allowing consumers to share data directly from their payment accounts in a secure way. This will enable consumers to access cheaper and more competitive financial services, and quicker and more accurate credit reporting. The government also recognises the importance of financial inclusion, and has demonstrated leadership in this area by committing to the creation of a Financial Inclusion Policy Forum to support collaboration with industry in this area.

Airlines: Taxation

lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of thenumber ofagency pilots who consistently work for onlyone airline which holdsa UK operating licence, who are (1) self-employed, and (2) employed, for tax purposes.

lord bates: HMRC does not hold such an estimate.

Airlines: Taxation

lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HMRC has conducted, or is conducting, a review or inquiry into the practice of any airline which holdsa UK operating licence that is supplied with pilots who are either agency workers or self-employed, but who only work for that airline.

lord bates: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has targeted compliance activity in the airline industry, but does not disclose details relating to specific taxpayers.

Train Operating Companies: Tax Avoidance

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of any train operating companies or train leasing companies using offshore companies or structures, including captive insurance vehicles, to minimise the amount of tax paid to HMRC; and if not, whether they have any plans to seek such information.

lord bates: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not disclose details relating to specific taxpayers.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

lord west of spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HM Treasury is involved in the invitations to tender to build the three new solid support ships, in particular relating to the costs; and, in assessing the bids, what account will be taken of the impact on UK tax revenues of an overseas company beingawarded the contract.

lord bates: The Ministry of Defence is responsible for developing the assessment criteria for procurement programmes. Where these programmes exceed the Ministry of Defence’s delegated limits, HM Treasury provides additional scrutiny of programmes.

Cabinet Office

Religious Freedom: Commonwealth

the lord bishop of coventry: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many funding proposals on freedom of religion or belief have been received by the Cabinet Office’s Commonwealth Summit Unit’s Kickstart programme; how many of those proposals were successful; and what was thevalue of the successful proposals.

lord young of cookham: The Kickstart Fund is designed to support preparatory work ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next April. The Commonwealth Summit Unit received one bid on Freedom of Religion and Belief which was not successful.The Unit is currently considering programmes for the UK's Commonwealth Chair-in-Office period, the two years following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018. While funding through the Kickstart Fund for a programme of events on Freedom of Religion and Belief has not been specifically allocated ahead of the summit, agreement has been reached that the Government will support the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in hosting a forum. This will bring parliamentarians from around the Commonwealth together for important discussions across the key challenges facing the Commonwealth, including upholding the Commonwealth Charter. The Commonwealth Summit Unit has also provided £20,000 to the Royal Commonwealth Society to support its interfaith service, which will take place in Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day in March 2018.The Government remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in all countries. The Prime Minister has announced the four themes for the summit: prosperity, security, sustainability and fairness. The summit will encourage all Commonwealth members to uphold the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including religious freedom.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Government

lord laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government on which dates in the last five years the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland held briefings about developments and policy in the province; and who attended each of those meetings.

lord duncan of springbank: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland holds a range of meetings on developments and policy, including regular events for Parliamentarians with an interest in Northern affairs. External meetings are published on the Northern Ireland Office website, which can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office.

Northern Ireland Government

lord lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 24 October (HL1962), whether they will set a date for the formal conclusion of their talks with the Northern Ireland political parties on the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive.

lord duncan of springbank: The priority of the Government remains the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. We continue to work with the parties and support them in their efforts to reach an agreement which will enable the formation of a Northern Ireland Executive. This involves keeping under continuous review the most effective means of encouraging progress.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Advertising Standards Authority

the countess of mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Compliance Team reports to complainants or publishes details of its work in the case of further complaints following investigation and upholding by the ASA of the original complaint; and if not, why not.

lord ashton of hyde: The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the UK's regulator of advertising. This regulatory system is independent of government and seeks to ensure that all adverts, wherever they appear, are legal, decent, honest and truthful. All ASA adjudications are published however given their independence from government we are not able to comment on the ASA's internal processes.

Department of Health

Health Services

lord blunkett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice or directionthey havegiven to clinical commissioning groups in relation to the reconfiguration of local services, specifically (1)the removal and closure of walk-in centres opened under the reforms set out in the Darzi Review, and (2)the use of apps to replace local services with technology.

lord o'shaughnessy: Local commissioners have been asked to review their current local urgent care facilities against the key Urgent Treatment Centres standards and make a decision for each facility; these decisions should be based on local patient need and take into consideration current and planned future provision of urgent and primary care services. NHS England is working with clinical commissioning groups to develop complementary online channels to operate alongside existing services, which offer patients choice and flexibility. This includes the deployment of NHS 111 Online to all areas in England, allowing people to connect with urgent health care services through either a web-based or app-based interface. NHS Improvement is leading the effort to standardise and enhance the service offer, make sure services are best positioned to reduce unnecessary attendances at accident and emergency departments, and help patients understand what services are available wherever they are in the country.

NHS: Computers

lord carlile of berriew: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of broken and unrepaired laptops in NHS hospitals and clinics; and whether they will take steps to ensure that NHS doctors and other clinicians have uninterrupted access to working laptops so far as is necessary for sound clinical practice.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Department does not collect data on the number of broken and unrepaired laptops in National Health Service trusts and clinics. The provision and servicing of information technology equipment in NHS trusts is a matter for individual trusts.

Drugs: Intellectual Property

lord clement-jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what incentives, if any,they plan to introduce to ensure that, following Brexit, firms continue to develop intellectual property in the UK, including for paediatric productsand orphan medicines; and whether, in so doing,they will take into account any recommendationsarising out ofthe European Commission’s current analysis of intellectual property incentives for the pharmaceutical industry.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Prime Minister has made clear that a key priority through the negotiations will be to ensure that the United Kingdom remains one of the best places in the world for science and innovation. Part of this will be ensuring an effective Intellectual Property (IP) regime that supports UK innovation and creativity. The UK will remain one of the best places in the world to obtain and protect IP.The Government has contributed to the European Commission’s ongoing analysis of intellectual property incentives for the pharmaceutical sector and will want to consider its recommendations in due course. The Government’s European Union Withdrawal Bill is designed to ensure that the UK exits the EU with certainty, continuity, and control, ensuring that, so far as possible, the same rules and laws will apply on the day after exit as on the day before.

Rickets

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to designate a group of health care professionals to be accountable and responsible for the prevention of rickets and its complications.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government has no plans to designate a group of healthcare professionals focused on the prevention of rickets.Rickets can generally be prevented by ensuring that children have a healthy, balanced diet, spend some time outside in the sun and take appropriate supplements containing ten micrograms of vitamin D. There is already a range of resources available to increase awareness of the need for vitamin D supplements, including advice on the NHS Choices website on the importance of vitamin D for bone health, and supplements are readily available over the counter and through the Healthy Start vitamins scheme.In August the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its public health guidance on increasing vitamin D supplement use among population groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency, in the light of the 2016 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report on Vitamin D and health. A copy of Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups is attached. This guideline includes recommendations on how to: increase access to and availability of vitamin D supplements, including for at-risk groups such as the BAME community, ensure health professionals recommend vitamin D supplements, raise awareness of the importance of these supplements amongst the population, and monitor provision and uptake of vitamin D supplements. Local commissioners will wish to consider how best to take forward these recommendations in respect of local BAME populations.The Government has made no formal assessment of the research referred to. Given the widespread availability of vitamin D supplements and clear guidance to health professionals and the public the Government does not believe there is a need for further strategies to prevent rickets. 



Vitamin D supplement use
(PDF Document, 265.69 KB)

Rickets: Ethnic Groups

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what analysis they haveundertaken of the steps necessary to protect members of the BAME community from the risk of rickets and its complications.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government has no plans to designate a group of healthcare professionals focused on the prevention of rickets.Rickets can generally be prevented by ensuring that children have a healthy, balanced diet, spend some time outside in the sun and take appropriate supplements containing ten micrograms of vitamin D. There is already a range of resources available to increase awareness of the need for vitamin D supplements, including advice on the NHS Choices website on the importance of vitamin D for bone health, and supplements are readily available over the counter and through the Healthy Start vitamins scheme.In August the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its public health guidance on increasing vitamin D supplement use among population groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency, in the light of the 2016 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report on Vitamin D and health. A copy of Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups is attached. This guideline includes recommendations on how to: increase access to and availability of vitamin D supplements, including for at-risk groups such as the BAME community, ensure health professionals recommend vitamin D supplements, raise awareness of the importance of these supplements amongst the population, and monitor provision and uptake of vitamin D supplements. Local commissioners will wish to consider how best to take forward these recommendations in respect of local BAME populations.The Government has made no formal assessment of the research referred to. Given the widespread availability of vitamin D supplements and clear guidance to health professionals and the public the Government does not believe there is a need for further strategies to prevent rickets. 



Vitamin D supplement use
(PDF Document, 265.69 KB)

Rickets

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessmentthey havemade of research published in Endocrine Connections finding (1) that the UK does not provide information to new parents before discharge on the necessity of infant vitamin D supplementation, and (2) that the vitamin D supplementation programme in infants is not monitored.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government has no plans to designate a group of healthcare professionals focused on the prevention of rickets.Rickets can generally be prevented by ensuring that children have a healthy, balanced diet, spend some time outside in the sun and take appropriate supplements containing ten micrograms of vitamin D. There is already a range of resources available to increase awareness of the need for vitamin D supplements, including advice on the NHS Choices website on the importance of vitamin D for bone health, and supplements are readily available over the counter and through the Healthy Start vitamins scheme.In August the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its public health guidance on increasing vitamin D supplement use among population groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency, in the light of the 2016 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report on Vitamin D and health. A copy of Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups is attached. This guideline includes recommendations on how to: increase access to and availability of vitamin D supplements, including for at-risk groups such as the BAME community, ensure health professionals recommend vitamin D supplements, raise awareness of the importance of these supplements amongst the population, and monitor provision and uptake of vitamin D supplements. Local commissioners will wish to consider how best to take forward these recommendations in respect of local BAME populations.The Government has made no formal assessment of the research referred to. Given the widespread availability of vitamin D supplements and clear guidance to health professionals and the public the Government does not believe there is a need for further strategies to prevent rickets. 



Vitamin D supplement use
(PDF Document, 265.69 KB)

Rickets

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to develop strategies to implement a rickets prevention policy alongside the existing infection prevention policy of vaccinations, in the light of evidence published in Endocrine Connections demonstrating that the UK has the worst adherence to infant vitamin D supplementation in Europe.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government has no plans to designate a group of healthcare professionals focused on the prevention of rickets.Rickets can generally be prevented by ensuring that children have a healthy, balanced diet, spend some time outside in the sun and take appropriate supplements containing ten micrograms of vitamin D. There is already a range of resources available to increase awareness of the need for vitamin D supplements, including advice on the NHS Choices website on the importance of vitamin D for bone health, and supplements are readily available over the counter and through the Healthy Start vitamins scheme.In August the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its public health guidance on increasing vitamin D supplement use among population groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency, in the light of the 2016 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report on Vitamin D and health. A copy of Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups is attached. This guideline includes recommendations on how to: increase access to and availability of vitamin D supplements, including for at-risk groups such as the BAME community, ensure health professionals recommend vitamin D supplements, raise awareness of the importance of these supplements amongst the population, and monitor provision and uptake of vitamin D supplements. Local commissioners will wish to consider how best to take forward these recommendations in respect of local BAME populations.The Government has made no formal assessment of the research referred to. Given the widespread availability of vitamin D supplements and clear guidance to health professionals and the public the Government does not believe there is a need for further strategies to prevent rickets. 



Vitamin D supplement use
(PDF Document, 265.69 KB)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

the countess of mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the BMJbest practice guidance on chronic fatigue syndrome published in July,whether there are any National Health Service tests available for autoimmune and metabolic dysfunction.

lord o'shaughnessy: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning many healthcare services to meet the needs and requirements of their local population, including those for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). In doing so, CCGs will commission services that reflect the needs of local people and that support improvements in health and healthcare outcomes. The current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on ME/CFS does not recommend routine autoimmune or metabolic testing but advises that diagnosis should be made after all other possible diagnoses have been excluded. Shared decision making should take place during diagnosis and all phases of care between the person with ME/CFS and healthcare professionals. On 20 September 2017, NICE announced plans to undertake a full review of the guidance.

Hepatitis

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the detection of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

lord o'shaughnessy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines are available to help raise awareness of, and testing for, hepatitis B and C infection in people at increased risk of infection. Screening for hepatitis B and C is recommended in groups who are at increased risk of infection so that diagnosed individuals can be referred for specialist care and management. NICE has also produced best practice guidance on hepatitis B antenatal screening and the new-born immunisation programme. NHS England commissions the infectious diseases in pregnancy screening programme, including the screening for hepatitis B, as of part of the maternity pathway. In addition and as part of health services commissioned for those in detained settings, NHS England is rolling out an ambitious Opt-Out Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) testing programme. The key aim is to improve uptake rates for hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing by the introduction of good practice for ‘meaningful offer’ of BBV testing across the adult prison estate by end of 2017-18.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

lord brooke of alverthorpe: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer byLord O'Shaughnessy on 30 October (HL Deb, col 1160), when they anticipate that the Green Paper on children and young people’s mental health will be published; and what plans they have to ensure that that Green Paper assesses differences in mental health treatment resulting from geographical location.

lord o'shaughnessy: We plan to publish the Green Paper on children and young people’s mental health by the end of this year.The Green Paper will include specific proposals to improve provision and access to mental health services for all children who need them irrespective of geographical location.

Mental Hospitals

lord crisp: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the report of the Commission on Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Care.

lord o'shaughnessy: NHS England, working with other arm’s length bodies, has prepared a response to recommendations from the Commission on Adult Psychiatric Care in England. The response will be published in due course. Inappropriate out-of-area placements are unacceptable and the Government has committed to eliminate these in non-specialist, acute mental health care by 2020/21.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

lord dubs: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve NHS patient access to the latest innovative cost-effective medicines for multiple sclerosis.

lord o'shaughnessy: Through its technology appraisal programme, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on the clinical and cost effective use of drugs and other treatments. Wherever possible, NICE aims to publish draft guidance on significant new drugs as soon as possible after licensing. NICE has recommended a number of drugs as treatments for multiple sclerosis. Commissioners are legally required to fund drugs and treatments recommended in NICE technology appraisal guidance within three months of its final guidance being issued. This is reflected in the NHS Constitution as a right to NICE approved drugs.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

lord dubs: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment theyhave made of (1) advances in treatments for multiple sclerosis for NHS patients, including the recently approved first short course oral treatment, cladribine tablets; and (2) the extent to which new treatments will help to reduce burdens on NHS services.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Department has made no such assessment. Through its technology appraisal programme, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on whether selected drugs and treatments represent a clinically and cost effective use of National Health Service resources, taking into account the impact on the health service of a product. NICE is currently developing guidance on the use of cladribine for treating multiple sclerosis and expects to publish final guidance in December.

Psychiatry: Vacancies

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the Royal College of Psychiatrists workforce census 2017, which reported arise in the number of vacant or unfilled psychiatrist consultant posts across the UK to 9 per cent, what steps they are taking to address that rise and to ensure that patient waiting times do not increase.

lord o'shaughnessy: We want people with mental health conditions to receive better treatment, and part of that means having the right National Health Service staff. We know we need to do much more to attract, retain and support the mental health workforce of the future, which is why we launched a plan to do just that in July. In Stepping forward to 2020/21: A mental health workforce plan for England, Health Education England sets out a plan to transform the mental health workforce, including a number of key actions to increase workforce supply. A copy is attached. Current initiatives to improve recruitment into psychiatry training posts include increasing the number of training placements in psychiatry in the Foundation Programme and supporting the Royal College of Psychiatrists on its marketing campaign ‘Choose Psychiatry’. On 4 October 2016, my Rt. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State announced the expansion of undergraduate medical education by up to 1,500 new medical school places in each year, with 500 additional places available in September 2018. The criteria for allocating the remaining 1,000 places from September 2019 includes alignment to local NHS workforce needs, with an emphasis on priority specialties such as psychiatry and priority areas, including rural and coastal areas.



Mental health workforce plan
(PDF Document, 2.7 MB)

Drugs: Side Effects

the countess of mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to theWritten Answer byLord O'Shaughnessy on 2 November (HL2355), what arethe internationally understood definitions of (1) "suspected adverse event", and (2)"‘serious adverse event", following the administration of a drug.

lord o'shaughnessy: My previous answer of 2 November referred specifically to reports from clinical trials. In the context of clinical trials, an adverse event (AE) is defined as: ‘Any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment.’ A serious adverse event (SAE) is defined as: ‘Any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose results in death, is life-threatening, requires in-patient hospitalisation or prolongation of existing hospitalisation, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, or is a congenital anomaly/birth defect’. The term ‘suspected’ is not used in the context of AEs and SAEs. The definition of an adverse drug reaction (ADR) is a response to a medicinal product which is noxious and unintended. Through the Yellow Card Scheme, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency encourages anyone to report a suspected ADR. For suspected ADRs, there is not necessarily a causal relationship with the medicine, but a suspicion by the reporter that the medicine may have been responsible. Suspected ADRs are continuously reviewed to detect possible new risks.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

the countess of mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord O'Shaughnessy on 2 November (HL2355), what are the latest figures for (1) suspected adverse events, and (2) serious adverse events, relating to (a)Gardasil, and (b) Cevarix, since those vaccines were introduced; and how many of those who reported serious adverse events remain incapacitated.

lord o'shaughnessy: Through the Yellow Card Scheme, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received 9,007 reports of suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, up to the 6 November 2017. This follows administration of more than nine million doses of HPV vaccine in the United Kingdom. A breakdown by brand and severity is provided in the table below.  TotalSeriousHPV brand unspecified691485Cervarix6,3231,822Gardasil1,961842Gardasil 93718Total9,0073,162Source: MHRA Sentinel database for ADRs.It should be noted that the total number of reports received by vaccine brand is not equal to the totals in the table above, as some reports included more than one HPV vaccine brand. Each report may contain more than one symptom. Of the serious reports, 25% include a symptom that is recorded as not recovered. This is based on the information available on outcome at the time of reporting and cannot be used to determine the number of patients with persistent symptoms. While the MHRA encourages reporters to update the outcome, this is not always provided.

Health

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the financial cost to society of (1) alcohol misuse, (2) obesity, and (3) viral hepatitis.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government wants everyone to be able to make healthier choices, regardless of their circumstances, and to minimise the risk and impact of illness. A range of action is being taken to do this, in particular across the three areas identified. To tackle alcohol misuse we are preventing below cost selling, tightening the rules on irresponsible promotions and introducing new powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. Local authorities are supported by Public Health England (PHE) in the commissioning of high quality, evidence based treatment services for their local populations’ needs. In addition, the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers have produced new low risk drinking guidelines which provide the public with the latest information about the health risks of different levels and patterns of drinking. The guidelines enable people to make informed choices about their drinking. Tackling childhood obesity is a priority for this Government. We launched Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action in August 2016. Our world-leading plan will help children and families to recognise and make healthier choices and be more active. Many of the key commitments in our plan will have an impact on tackling obesity across all age groups. These include the soft drinks industry levy and sugar reduction programme, which will reduce the amount of sugar we all consume. A copy of Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action is attached. The National Strategic Group on Viral Hepatitis is a PHE-supported, cross-agency expert group on viral hepatitis with external membership from academia, NHS England, local government, clinical commissioning groups, patient representative groups and other organisations, to provide strategic direction and advice around viral hepatitis. The strategy group aims to help reduce the incidence, prevalence and consequences of infection from the viral hepatitides in England.  



Childhood obesity plan
(PDF Document, 408.73 KB)